Roland SP606 Groove Sampling Workstation from zZounds.com!

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The newest member of the SP-sampler family breaks ground with innovative features such as Loop Capture, and Super Filter. The SP-555 is fast and powerful, but one thing has been preserved from previous SP models: fun! It’s the ultimate toolkit for DJs, producers, sample-based musicians, or performers who want to take their act to the next level. Learn More...

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Roland SP606 Groove Sampling Workstation reviews

76 People rated this product : 8 out of 10

3 People wrote reviews

Read all Roland SP606 Groove Sampling Workstation reviews...

8 out of 10

"Opens New Doors Musically"

Feature:
The onboard memory is small, so you will definitely need to add a Compact Flash Card (none provided). There are more effects than I know what to do with (yet). The D-Beam is fun but I haven't found any practical recording application (this is geared toward live performance which I do not do). USB connectivity makes adding samples pretty easy. Cannot find a way to adjust volume of individual tracks in the 4-track sequencer. I don't use the software component much (yet). I bought a hardware component because I don't like composing music at a computer. Features like Autochop, Time Sync, velocity sensitive pads, USB connectivity, MIDI Sync, 45 effects, 3 effects processors, companion software... make this a very complete package. The single biggest drawback is the 8 voice polyphony (I expand on this in the Value section).

Quality:
I have had no issues in the few weeks I have had it. The OS has been solid with only one malfunction (you must shutdown the USB connection from the comuter or it will hang). It sits on a desk in my home studio. If I took it out I would purchase a good case and be careful as its mostly plastic.

Value:
As an introductory piece this is worth every penny but for all in one music production it falls short. I bought this as a drum machine that I could load whatever sounds I wanted into. For that purpose the SP606 is more than enough. I found myself making types of music I had not anticipated. And here is where I ran into some trouble. Most of the samples I use are stereo. This reduces the polyphony to 4 voices. So a kick drum and a symbol sounding at the same time (common) now leaves me with 2. A bass synth and a hi hat leave me with 0. I will probably resample to mono to get around this but if I really wanted to keep the stereo sound I would be stuck. That being said I also have a mutitrack recorder which can always be used to give me all the polyphony I would ever need.

Desirability:
It looks very sharp (the SP 505 looked like a toy and was considered one by many, the change in look was dramatic).

Sound:
This unit only plays back what you put in. So, Garbage in Garbage out. Quality in Quality out. If you put CD quality samples in you resulting music will be CD quality.

Support:
Good luck... Roland is notorious for poor customer service. The have virtually nothing on their website (nothing useful anyway) and are closed by the time I get home from work. My biggest problem with them is that when I need them they are not available.

Overall:
I am primarily a guitar player that was looking for something to add percussion to my recordings. I bought the SP606 because I knew I would never get bored of the sounds because I could easily change them. It has not failed to meet my needs. I have even found myself creating music on this alone. The built in sound are not very useful. They consume the first 4 pad banks. These are among the 16 easiest to reach. So if you don't use them you have 12 easy to reach pad banks (there are more but then you have to scroll through a list rather than just selecting by pressing a designated pad).

Submitted: 9/8/2004

Style of Music: Whatever enters my head but mostly guitar based

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8 out of 10

"FOR THE CASH IT'S A PRETTY GOOD DEAL."

Feature:
In the beginning, the 4 sequencer wasn't that bad. Now it's a pain, but for the money, you can work with it. Especially if you're using multitrack software. The biggest headache is when too many voices are played at the same time. It stops your larger samples from playing.

Quality:
I'd have to say I'm a little worried about dropping it because of its weight, but I haven't had any mechanical problems at all.

Value:
For the money, it's worth it. If you have the money, splurge on the mpc, it'll give you more breathing room.

Desirability:
I was really intrigued by the dimension beam which is really cool and you can come up with some crazy runs. Add some reverb and it sounds like an electric guitar!

Sound:
Make sure you sample from a good audio source. Don't sample through bad cables or your samples will sound crappy.

Ease of Use:
It's really easy to use, especially sampling. I like how quickly you can jump into recording a beat. With great sounds you can come up with great music.

Support:
Very poor. They barely have anything on the web.

Submitted: 8/8/2006

Style of Music: Hip Hop + R&B

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About This Product!

Description

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From Our Catalog

Lightweight, but packed with heavy grooves, the SP-606 sampling workstation extends the legacy of the popular BOSS SP-505, offering 4x4 velocity pads, D Beam and V-LINK control and USB and CompactFlash compatibility. Bundled with Cakewalk's new P606 phrase generator/virtual groovebox for ever lasting sample library and editing capabilities, the Roland SP-606 is all you'll need to create grooves that'll get you, or your audience, moving.

Features
4x4 velocity sensitive pads enable intuitive rhythm programming and phrase audio operation.

Enhanced effects, including Isolator, Filter + Drive, Slicer, Reverb, Tape Echo and onboard mastering capabilities.

Unique control over performance and playback via Roland's D Beam controller and V-LINK function*.

CompactFlash memory capabilities (with up to 512MB capacity) allows storing audio samples (in the SP-606's Pad Bank format) and import/export of .wav/.aiff files.

4-track sequencer with up to 18,000 notes capacity, MIDI sequencing and BPM sync for audio phrase time stretching.

S/PDIF I/O for high-quality recording and track making with digital equipments.

Bundled with new P606 software from Cakewalk for enhanced integration and functionality with a PC, via USB cable.

*V-LINK requires Edirol DV-7PR Digital Video Workstation Presenter with software version 1.50 or higher, or P-1 Photo/Audio/MIDI Player (sold separately).

Compact, But Packed With Performance Features
The SP-606 is proof that looks can be deceiving. The SP-606 packs 4x4 velocity sensitive pads, new effects, D Beam and V-LINK control, USB capabilities (with USB audio I/F functionality), a CompactFlash card slot and S/PDIF I/O into a compact, stand alone unit, with an external sequencer sampling and new phrase generator/virtual groovebox P606 software. And that's just the beginning!

Sample, Edit and Play
The SP-606 features stellar 8-voice, CD-quality audio with extensive slice and dice editing of samples via the onboard Chop function. Additionally, a powerful 18,000 notes 4-track MIDI sequencer with BPM Sync feature creates the ability to time stretch audio phrases. An easy-to-read graphic LCD with waveform display allows you to zoom in while editing Start and End points.

Increased Rhythm Programming and Realtime Control
New velocity sensitive pads are laid out intuitively in a 4x4 grid for greater control over rhythm programming and phrase audio operation. Additionally, Roland's acclaimed D Beam controller and V-LINK video control features have been added to enable unique phrasing and real-time effects generation during playback. When used with Edirol's DV-7PR or P-1, you can trigger video clips in sync with playback.

Enhanced Effects Processing
There are 40 multi effects onboard, including popular SP-505 effects such as Isolator, Filter + Drive, Slicer, Reverb and Tape Echo as well as new effects and an independent Mastering Effect for final mixing. Effect settings can be added and tweaked in realtime via the SP-606's front panel knobs, or you can re-sample to another pad in realtime.

Enhanced Sampling Capabilities
The External Sequence Sampling feature allows you to capture audio loops generated by MIDI-based machines with ease. Simply connect the SP-606 to an external MIDI workstation, such as the MC-909, and press the Sampling button. Using MIDI information, the SP-606 is able to detect the start and end points of the audio loop and perform a perfect capture.

More Storage and Output Options
A CompactFlash memory slot with up to 512MB capacity is available for storing audio samples and for importing/exporting .wav/.aiff files. An onboard USB port facilitates transfer of MIDI data, audio files & audio stream downloading as well as .wav/.aiff files. In combination, the CompactFlash and USB port enable importing or exporting of .wav/.aiff files without requiring a separate CompactFlash reader/writer. Additionally, a coaxial S/PDIF I/O is included.

Expand Your Groove Horizons with P606
The SP-606 comes bundled with powerful P606 software from Cakewalk, eliminating the need for a static CD library. PC-based P606 software functions as a phrase generator/virtual groovebox, integrating with the SP-606 via the USB MIDI/Audio interface. Three kinds of software synthesizers - analog modeling, groovesynth and ACIDized file player - are offered, as well as a loop sequencer, eight effect plug-ins and onscreen control over Mix. As a master controller, the SP-606 can seamlessly import, edit and playback P606 tracks.

Audio Samples

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Roland SP606 Interactive Demo

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Lightweight but packed with heavy grooves, the SP-606 sampling workstation extends the legacy of the popular Boss SP-505, offering 4x4 velocity pads, D Beam and V-LINK control, and USB and CompactFlash compatibility.

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Roland SP606 Groove Sampling Workstation